Our girls are 1.5. I'm a sahm with 2 chronic illnesses. We have NO family around. DH works long hours. I'm overwhelmed. And need to start taking better care of myself so I can take better care of our kids. make sense? anyway, here's my dilemma... I've had a college student working for us 2 evenings per week. But she's more of a helper than nanny. I've never asked her to do evening routine solo (since I find it difficult myself). But I need more "time off" before I burn out. Anyway, she's moving a little further away this fall for school. So she won't be able to work very often. Option A: Have college student to work one full day per week, from 8am-8Pm. She'd do everything for the kids for the full day. I'd have to train her a little more and give her a raise. I'd ask her to take CPR class. And try to get her to do more with the kids than just take them to the park (more activities, have her read books about childdevelopment or take a class). The big PRO is that she adores our kids. The cons are the limited availability and lack of experience. Option B: Hire a part time nanny who has more experience but will cost more $$$. Probably 2 days per week (but may not be able to stay for bedtime routine, which means I'd have to do it solo 2 x per wk). The pros are more experience and more reliable. The con is more expensive. Either way I will have to adjust and be more trusting which is so hard! What would you do?
We have had two nannies since I've been back to work part-time. Having tons of experience and being CPR trained was a must for me. I think I would go for the option of more experience (even if it does mean more $) and get the help on two seperate days. Our first nanny was a college student as well and we always ran into trouble with her changing schedule. Good luck.
I don't know why that icon is in my early post. anyway, it's such a hard decision. I feel like we are pressured to make it now. So many nannies are becoming available because of preschool starting. many want to do a part time thing. I've got atleast 2 possibilites from other local twin moms. so hard to know what to do. any other advice???????? pretty please!
If you can scrape together the money I would get the better nanny. I have experienced the college students and the nanny and the nanny is much better (of course it depends on the person). If it is overwhelming for you to look after them on your, and I know it is who would you rather them be with? Get someone who knows what they are doing, it is her job and if you find the right one you can feel very secure that she will be looking after your babies like you would.
We just hired a nanny for this fall. I am going back to work part-time (2 days a week) and I needed someone to come to the house. I posted an ad on craigslist. I stated the criteria and the amount I was willing to pay. I had an overwhelming response. People would email me with an interest and I would email back with a list of questions. Based on the responses I set up interviews. We then ran a background check on the girl we offered the job to. She seems so sweet. She starts next week. I was going to go through an agency, but felt the fee was really high for just two days a week. This worked out great for us. The girl we picked is a college student. You can always pm me if you want more info. Good luck. I completely understand. I am not dealing with an illness, and I sure that is harder. However, my dh is a pilot and he is gone for 2-4 days a week overnight. It is getting easier now that the twins are older, but this past year has been rough. I feel like a single parent a lot of the time. :hug
I also have a chronic illness that prohibits me to be totally there for my kids all the time. I have my really bad days, and I dont feel its fair to the boys. Unfortunatly, I have no option to fire a nanny as we are on 1 income that wont allow it. DH got a new job and its moving closer to home. I told him what I needed and he did it, and hopefully things will work out and if he needs to "get home", he can. I would take the second option if you have the meansss...or honestly, try out both... (2 weeks with one and then the other). See who your kids like more! After all, you cant be too picky!
I'd go with the second option. I have a FT nanny (7-4 M-F) but I work FT from home, so the only time I get "me time" when she's here is when I take a day off or play a little hookie from work. If I were to be a SAHM, I have told my DH I'd still need someone here PT, I'd probably go with 3 mornings a week. Otherwise I seriously would lose my sanity - hats off to all the SAHM's with no help.
I too would hire a more experienced nanny for a couple of part-time days/week [pick your worst times]. I work full-time [home office] and we have had luck with Craigslist as well, but you really have to be careful. I have always gotten a lot of responses, but some questionable folks. I would look for someone older -- maybe a SAHM with kids in school, retiree, ,etc.? Ask around -- maybe someone has a nanny and you could do a nanny share. I know a bunch of folks that don't want to lose their nanny so pay for full-time even though kids are in school. Best of luck!
QUOTE(frickandfrack @ Aug 1 2007, 08:02 AM) [snapback]352383[/snapback] I would look for someone older -- maybe a SAHM with kids in school, retiree, ,etc.? Ask around -- maybe someone has a nanny and you could do a nanny share. I know a bunch of folks that don't want to lose their nanny so pay for full-time even though kids are in school. Best of luck! I, too, have a nanny and posted in Craiglist and at my local church. One of my criteria is that the nanny be older, so that I would not have to worry about her not being available to watch my girls. You can also ask around about sharing a nanny with other moms. Good luck!
